Meaning & use
dialler
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableBritishtechnical
A device or program that places phone calls automatically, often used by call centers.
Grammar: Countable: an automatic dialler. American spelling is dialer.
Patterns
- automatic dialler
The call center installed a dialler to ring customers one after another.
A predictive dialler connects an agent only when someone answers.
His phone has an emergency dialler that works with one button.
nouncountableBritishold-fashioned
A person who dials a telephone number, or a program that dials an internet connection.
Grammar: Countable: the dialler hung up quickly.
Patterns
- a dialler
Every dialler heard the same recorded greeting.
Old dial-up internet needed a dialler to connect to the provider.
Common combinations
- auto dialler
- An auto dialler rang hundreds of numbers an hour.
- predictive dialler
- A predictive dialler cuts waiting between calls.
- dialler software
- The team updated its dialler software.
- nuisance dialler
- Regulators fined the nuisance dialler operator.
- emergency dialler
- She wore an emergency dialler around her neck.
Synonyms and how they differ
- autodialer
- The American spelling and the usual name for the machine that calls numbers.
- telemarketer
- A person who sells by phone, not a device.
- robocaller
- Suggests a pre-recorded message and is often a negative term.
Word family
Commonly confused: dialler or dealer?
dialler vs dealer
A dealer buys and sells goods; a dialler places phone calls.
Practice
In the US, the word dialler is usually spelled ___.
Choose one answer.
American English uses a single l: dialer. The spelling dialler is British; the others are not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dialler”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.